The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1887-04-27
TmE KN1aIITs or HoNoIs,
As Factors in 6iyiIszation-Its
Plans and SSefllotis.

pineSS of the people. Nothing con-
tributes so much to that end as the
certainty that ourdependent family,
after our death, win be beyond ac-
tlial want. 1t has been a probiem
heretofore, how TO secure such i
compentency, and this has been true
especially with that class who are
unable by reason of their restricted
income, to accumulate sufficient TO
make safe provision for their fam
lilies This problem has been solved
by the knights of Honor. Every
moral citizen who is in good health
may enter the order, and no matter
how limited his resources, may pro-
vide from one TO two thousand dol
lars for his family in case of his
death.
Tire knights of honor is strictly
a fratcrnal order and not a Life In-
surance Company or kssaciatioa.
Their methods differ from old lime
Life Insurance rs well as from SO
called Assessment Companies
Uniting in its plans and system all
the features of such orders rs the
Masons, Odd Follows, knights of
Pythias and the like, il has added Il
protective feature ofsa two or one
thousand dollar benefit, which is
paid on the death of every member
in good standin5, to sueh members
OF his family or dependent, as lie
may have designated by name, ac-
cording to the laws of the order
While it is Il secret society, the So
cret part only consists of some pass
words and signs, 10 enable them to
guard against imposters.
No oath is administered to initia-
ties; only Il promise upon honor is
cxacted to live the life of good
citizen. Neither is it Il religious or
political society; both subjects are
carefully kept ont ofthe lodge room.
jew or Gentle. Catholic or Protes-
tant are alike respected and made
welcome, The most devout church
man viii fad nothing in It's compo-
sition to offend the strictest loyalty
to his creed; it is also patterned af-
te our own democratic institutions;
every member has voice in it's
management. and is eligible to ever
Office. Every member is compelled
to belong to some subordinate lodge.
and while his presence at lis meet
ings is desirable and most beneficial
TO himself and to the order, yet no
law exists to compell him to attend.
Each lodge is entitled to represen-
tation in the Grand lodge of its State,
and each Grand Lodge has from
two to more Representatives in tho
Supreme Lodge
In short, the representatives of
the subordinate lodge from the
Grand Lodge, and the representa-
tives of the Grand Lodge constitute
the supreme Lodge. These various
bodies make the laws of the order
and shape it's policy; the machinery
is nicely adjusted that the voice Of
every member, through its rcprosen-
tative, is potent in shaping whole
some and Just legislation.
There is no preferred class, no
close Board Of Directors, nor any
chance Tor speculation or rascality;
the officers Of the various Ioiges,
subordinate, grand or supreme. arc
but the instruments to do the. viii of
the members; their duties are clear
~ defined and their powers, so call
ed, strictly limited.
No money can be expended ex-
cept its payment is voted by a MA
jority of tile members, and in the
supreme Lodge as well as the grand
Lodges it must first have been
authorized by vote of these boil
les, and each item must receive tho
sanction of the Finance Committe.
The Supreme Treasurer is nndc.
heavy bonds The money of the
order must be and is deposited 10
the credit Of the supreme lodge IL;
solvent banks, and can only be
drawn on joint order Of the Supreme
Reporter and Treasurer, and tic
bank is required TO make daily re-
ports of receipts and disbursements
to the Supreme Dictator, who is the
president Of the or,Isr. The FL
nance Committee has the right ;.t
any time TO examine the books, and
Is compelled to do so at stated pc
riods. Whenever a call is made M
on members to contribute to tic
h4ub0 sthN VI p.tdilS IHIi0, as VIII be
explained hereafter, a full statement
IS made how the money heretofore
collected has been expended, and
and this is sent to every lodge and
read in open session. The money
to pay death benefits is contributed
by the members to the supreme
lodge. A contribution OF fraction
over cent raises a fund large
enough to pay a benefit of two
Thousand dailars; but these assess-
nents are made in instailments of
one or two dollars at a time. in or
dor to save expens, and an assess
ment Of two dollars upon each merl-
ber realizes enough TO pay the death
benefit to 10 deceased members
What able bodied man IS there in
the land who is not able, by pay
ment OF from one to two dollars ~
month, to secure te his family from
one to two thousand dollars? Tho
death benefits are paid to those en-
titled. in from fifteen to thirty DAYS
after the death is reported to the
Supreme Lodge.
J. $. o,RoARK, Reporter.
Diamond Lodge No. 3017. IL. of 1t.